Champagne is the name of the world’s most famous sparkling wine, the appellation under which it is sold, and the French wine region it comes from. While it has been used to refer to sparkling wines from all over the world – a point of much controversy and legal wrangling in recent decades – Champagne is a legally controlled and restricted name. See Champagne wine labels.
Champagne's fame and success is, of course, the product of many complex factors. And yet there are three key reasons of which we can be reasonably certain. First, the all-important bubbles, which make it stand out from less 'exciting' wines. Second, the high prices that Champagne commands, which make it feel somewhat exclusive and special. Third, two centuries of clever marketing to a willing and highly receptive consumer base